More on the coast

As some of you may remember, there was a big earthquake near the coast of Ecuador in April 2016. It was really devastating, with over 650 people killed and thousands injured, and countless buildings damaged.  Ten months later, there is still lots of evidence of the quake -- piles of bricks and rubble where buildings used to stand, cracked buildings patched with concrete.  This was the first time we had really seen the direct effects of it in person.

Space where a building used to be 

This one hasn't been cleaned up yet... it must be kind of overwhelming

The airport tower in the port city of Manta was destroyed (though the runways were apparently OK). They are rebuilding the airport, and the current "provisional" airport building is actually a tent!

On a happier note, here are a few more shots from our week in Puerto Lopez -- it's a beautiful place.

Annalise and Kit Kittredge on the bus from Manta to Puerto Lopez 

This funky mini-taxi is called a "tuk-tuk," I think it's a glorified motorcycle with 2 back wheels  

 Annalise having fun riding in the tuk-tuk

Arriving at the hotel after a rain storm

Free shade tents on the beach! 

This is the skeleton of a beached humpback whale that's on display, to educate people about this threatened species.  The whales migrate through this area in the summer